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| Musing #15
~Advice at Ninety~
My dear grandmother, a spiritually strong woman with a deep faith, had her birthday a few weeks ago. Ninety ...in chinese years as she always likes to add. And for all her birthday's past that I can recall, she has never ever asked her grandchildren for anything. I'm more accustomed to her usual "take better care of your health and sleep early!" or "you should stop wasting so much money going on vacation with your friends!" And all these grandma-isms I've always accepted as her special way of telling me that she loves, worries, and cares for me.
But this year was different.
After birthday family dinner in Burlingame, my brother and I drove her back to her house in SF where she lives alone. We helped her in with her new bday gifts that she probably won't ever use because they're new and sat down for a bit. We chatted some and while my bro hit the bathroom right before we were about to leave, my grandmother turned to me and said in a soft serene voice:
Grandma337: "Kenny... I think it's time you look for a girlfriend. Don't you want to get married? I'm ninety today and I would like to see one of you guys get married."
kenny337: ... ...
Grandma337: "When you have time, take a day off of work, come visit me, and I will tell you how to meet a nice girl."
kenny337: ... ...
I couldn't believe it. After so many years of being told not to date or be too serious about girls and just focus on school and not get fired from my job... here she was... my ninety year old grandmother on her birthday.... suggesting that it was about time for me... to get a date. My brother who had already come out of the bathroom just laughed his ass off. And I just sat there on the sofa, speechless. I couldn't believe it! I couldn't believe grandma was going to give me a lesson on how to have any game! It was getting late, so we gave her a hug and headed for home. But the last thing I said to her with a smile was that I would make it back up to visit, get her wise advice sometime soon, and that the best thing she could do would be to pray for me  | | |
| - - - Musing #13
~ The Banzai Toast ~
While gallivanting to a tropical hotspot for a buddy's wedding, I had some time to reflect on recent events & happenings.
o Dodgeball taught me forgiveness and grace.
o Hold 'em poker continues to instill in me humility, patience, and acknowledgement of my own pride & foolishness.
o The Banzai Toast showed me how exhilarating & fun it can be to yell "BANZAI!" in unison with over 230 people, exulting the bride & groom in a way filled with power, meaning, & love.
What’s the significance of the Banzai toast?
The word banzai literally means “10,000 years” and is associated with long life. Banzai cheers are given at joyous occasions, banquets and gatherings, to express congratulations, encouragement, or celebration. Traditionally, the participants shout the word “banzai” three times in unison, raising their hands in the air each time.
It is customary to deliver two separate banzai cheers at weddings. The first, “Shinrô shimpu, banzai!” means “long life and happiness to the bride and groom.” The second banzai is: “Raihin shoku, banzai!" or, more politely, “Raihin no minasama, banzai!” This banzai cheer means “Long life and happiness to all the guests!” In Hawaii, these wedding banzai cheers are often given as a special toast, with participants raising their glasses with each shout of “banzai!”
If I'm ever lucky enough to have a chance at offering my opinion (I also learned this this wknd fellas...it's the Bride's Dream Wedding. Us guys just show up dressed in a tux  ) of what I'd like at the wedding reception... I'd love to have The Banzai Toast! Until then, maybe I'll suggest Banzai Toasts at like birthday dinners, red egg & ginger parties, and weekly Sunday Lunches for starters. | | |
| Musing #12
~I Love...~
I love God's church.
I love how it's a place that really feels like a home. I love the encouraging feeling of fellowship in all it's forms. Whether it's a wide eyed smile and giggle from Joshua, to the crazy laughter and sheer naughtiness of Matthew running around like a nut with a balloon and not giving the time of day to anyone in his adoring Fan Club(you all know who you are). I love the blessing of little children and growing families in our church. It's a great example and model to aspire to as a young adult. I love how Lighthouse folks let us play with their babies and kids. I love how new folks to our fellowship are encouraged that this a friendly and welcoming place again. I love that the sister's pray for the brother's in Agape. I love how we have a dedicated leadership team that has made a long term commitment to make this a better place where God's glory is furthered and fulfilled. I love the Worship prepared on Thursday's and Sunday's. I love the fact that agapians typically all go out and have lunch together again on Sunday. I love the fact that we have had great pastor's provided to us in past and present. I love that agapians are stepping up to take on more leadership and responsibility at church, be it teaching Sunday School, helping out with Retreat, or being Commish of Dodgeball and buying all the equipment. I love the fact that I can head up to the city and party it up with a great group of crazyfun people from church and fellowship! I love how my nonC friends are able to hang out with church friends. I love how people have chosen to stay and set roots here at the 5th Home. I love how others are called away on Missions as evidence God still convicts us to Go and witness. I love how sister's and brother's are encouraging one another and growing closer in area's of accountability, discipleship, and maturity as a result.
I love all these things and more about God's church... but... can I honestly say and truly feel in my heart and soul that I love God, Christ, and the Spirit many times more than all of this?
I want to love my Savior first and foremost before all things.
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| Musing #7
On a snow covered mountain in the great icy northern expanse of British Columbia, this pearl of wisdom was posted on a sign at a chairlift. It read:
"Some days... you are the pigeon.
Some days... you are the statue."
Thank you God that no matter whether we're feeling like a pigeon or a statue on any given day in this life, that you love us, look after us, and give us purpose and hope to be so much more than either of the two. | | |
| Musing #4 #5 & #6
So many things have happened in these past few weeks that I don’t think I’ve actually had time to sit down, reflect, and process through them all. But here’s a few pieces of the pie…
First and foremost, I was thankfully laid off from my old job and quickly blessed with a new job that I really wanted! Not only am I back in the financial project analysis arena, but I’m not bean counting all day every day any more. Amen! What’s been troubling me is the realization that although I should be happy as a duck with such a quick turnaround time job-wise, it still wasn’t enough to make me feel more content with my life. Even though I happily smiled when they gave me the news of being laid off, I had the sense of uncertainty and insecurity that comes with the fear of being out of work for a long duration of time. So now that I don’t have to worry about it anymore, why don’t I feel more happy and content with life now that I am employed and starting a new job again? It’s even a better job too!! When I read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 for agape study, I think it really spoke to me how an earthly and worldly perspective truly is Meaningless… The achievements, prizes, goals, and successes in life won’t be the things that will provide lasting happiness. I understand a little bit more why I need to continue to seek hard after the Eternal perspective.
Unemployment also afforded me a rare opportunity to hang out with my grandmother yesterday. I drove up to the city late in the afternoon and we got a chance to catch up on the latest and greatest. My grandmother, ninety year old Christian woman that she is, continues to be both sharp in mind and spirit. She has a knack for remembering the past and is still very quick to point out that I shouldn’t be off traveling and gallivanting to exotic vacation hot spots and wasting my monies away frivolously on potentially dangerous activities like snowboarding when I should be saving for a house, a wife, and a future. When I do go up solo to visit her in SF, we usually go to the Olive Garden at Stonestown Mall where she always orders the cannelloni meat pasta and tells me to eat more salad. This time however, we broke tradition and went for dinner. Upon arriving, I found the wait for a table to be 15 minutes and most every seat in the waiting area taken. For about 2 seconds, I scanned the area and tried to figure out where she could sit while we waited. My mind never really expected what would happen next. Before I knew it, a guy who happened to be seated on a bench next to his girlfriend, quickly stood up and politely offered my grandma his own seat. I thanked him for his kindness and generosity and remained in awe of his good deed. So simple, yet it brought me face to face with my half-glass empty perception of people and society.
On a lighter note, I had the privilege of being invited by Derek to go see Michelle Branch in concert a few Thursday’s ago(sorry Homegroupies!). This was her Oxygen concert that is going to be broadcast tonight at 9pm. And YES… I can now check off on my life-list of To-Do’s: Getting air time on a nationally broadcast network for Women. It’s a dream come true =) Thanks Oprah...and Derek! Check it out if you have cable. You might just be able to see Derek and I standing 3 feet away from Michelle off center stage to the immediate right. I have to say Michelle Branch totally rocks!!! She’s got amazing vocals, huge musical talent, and a very cool down-to-earth real kinda personality that hasn’t been jaded by industry and celebrity. She was so nice through it all from beginning to end. And she writes her own songs! She even told noisy industry peepo’s to shut up! How's that for cool?!
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